Painted legionary helmets?

[Tarbicus]

If the Berkasovo I indeed is meant to have eyes on the front, it would be unique. But because the similar jewels on the Budapest helmet lack similar ‘eyebrows’, I doubt very much if those on the Berkasovo need to represent eyes. I mean, if you disqualify the jewels on the back as eyes, those on the Budapest aren’t eyes either.

I never said that the Budapest jewels are eyes, and to me they don't look like it. However, that does not preclude the Berkasovo from representing eyes on the front, especially given their position, shape and jewels above them. We know other helmets of a similar period had embossed eyes, and sometimes when it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's quite simply a duck. Within the context of the helmet itself they are an exception and specific, but within a broader context they follow a rule.